Banfield
River Plate emerged victorious in a five-goal classic, defeating Banfield 3-2 in the seventh round of Argentina’s Liga Profesional Clausura. In a match that ebbed and flowed with tension and drama, Marcelo Gallardo’s men twice surrendered leads before Ángel Correa’s 69th minute strike proved decisive at Estadio Florencio Sola.
River Plate Dominate Early Stages
The visitors started with typical authority, pinning Banfield back with 63% possession in the opening half-hour. Their pressure told in the 32nd minute when Sebastián Driussi ghosted into the box to meet Ángel Correa’s inch-perfect cross, heading expertly beyond Diego Rodríguez.
Banfield were still reeling when River doubled their lead nine minutes later. Thiago Almada stepped up confidently after a handball was spotted by VAR, sending Rodríguez the wrong way from the spot to make it 2-0.
Banfield Fight Back Valiantly
Pedro Troglio’s side emerged with renewed purpose after the break. Their persistence was rewarded in the 64th minute when substitute Braian Sepúlveda latched onto Luiz Pineró’s pass and fired low past Santiago Beltrán.
The comeback was briefly halted when Correa restored River’s two-goal advantage, sweeping home Tomás Galván’s cutback five minutes later. But Banfield refused to capitulate, Sepúlveda grabbing his second of the night with a clinical finish after Pineró’s crafty pass carved open River’s defense.
River Plate Hold On for Vital Win
Despite Banfield’s late surge, Gallardo’s men showed their championship mettle to see out the final stages. The win moves River Plate to within three points of the Clausura summit, while Banfield remain languishing in mid-table after suffering their third defeat of the campaign.
For River, this was a statement win that underlines their title credentials. As for Banfield, their spirited display offers hope that better times may lie ahead. Both sides will need to regroup quickly, however, with a packed fixture schedule awaiting in the coming weeks.
Key Moments
32′ ⚽ River Plate — S. Driussi (assist: A. Correa)
41′ ⚽ River Plate — T. Almada
64′ ⚽ Banfield — B. Sepulveda
69′ ⚽ River Plate — A. Correa (assist: T. Galvan)
